An 11-year-old Detroit boy has been charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of 3-year-old Elijah Walker in what police are calling a tragic accident.
According to ClickonDetroit, the 11-year-old, who has not been identified because he is not being charged as an adult, took the gun from his father's closet and tossed it out a window. He then retrieved the gun from the backyard and sat inside a parked car that was also in the backyard.
Family members told My Fox Detroit that Elijah and his mother were visiting the 11-year-old's family when she lost track of Elijah and heard a door slam. The next sound she heard was a gunshot.
According to ClickonDetroit, Elijah reportedly had opened the door to the parked car when he was fatally shot.
"I cannot remember a time where we have charged someone so young with taking a life. Very unfortunately and very tragically, the alleged facts in this case demanded it," Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement. "The charged respondent here will remain in the juvenile system, but the case remains under investigation. As a result of that, I will not say more at this time."
Elijah's family has created a GoFundMe page in hopes of covering his funeral costs.
"Our sweet baby boy, Elijah Walker, was taken away from us way too soon at only 3 years old. Elijah was always on the go with his incredible amount of energy and never failed to give anyone his million-dollar smile," the page reads.
"His bright smile, contagious laughter and sweet personality will forever be missed," the statement continues. "He was and will always be loved by his entire family, and we are extremely devastated by this tragic loss."
Read more at ClickonDetroit and My Fox Detroit.